What Do You Need to Know Before You Show a Goat

By: Frank Craddock and Ross Stultz

Competition in the show arena is increasing every yr as iv-H members are discovering that goats are an splendid pick as a guild project. Because goats are small, easy to piece of work with and demand a small amount of space, they provide a meaningful livestock experience in a relatively short amount of time.

If you have decided to take a social club goat project, your first determination volition be to decide which shows to attend. It is your responsibility, as an exhibitor, to read the general rules and regulations likewise every bit special rules governing the shows you will attend. This volition tell y'all the number of goats you may enter, weight limits, ownership dates and entry deadlines. Show schedules, rules and regulations may exist obtained from your county Extension amanuensis or direct from the shows.

Evidence dates are extremely of import because they determine the historic period and size or weight of the goats to be entered, and at what time of year they should be purchased. Many shows crave that goats have their milk teeth. Goats normally hold their milk teeth until they are 10 to 12 months of age. After this time, it is probable that a goat will lose its infant teeth and become ineligible for show. Some shows accept removed the milk molar rule, and goats with yearling teeth may compete.

Goat shows also take weight limit requirements that must be met. Nether normal conditions, goats will gain approximately ii to 3 pounds per week. Not all goats can exist fed to the same final weight because in that location are differences in frame size. Large frame goats may be correctly finished at 120 pounds, while minor frame goats may exist correctly finished at 80 pounds. You must acquire to look at indicators of frame size and growth (length of head, neck, cannon os and body) and make up one's mind at what weight a goat will be correctly finished. If y'all know the gauge weight of a goat at the time of purchase and the length of time until a evidence, you tin calculate feed requirements (light, moderate or heavy) needed to enable that goat to enter the show at its correct weight.

Retrieve that size does not make a proficient goat. In that location are good small goats and good large goats. Your management program is the key.

Facilities and Equipment

1 of the major advantages of a club goat projection is that expensive facilities are not needed. A barn or shed where goats tin can retreat from cold, wet weather and a pen with outside exposure are essential. Adequate fencing, a feeder and a water container are required, yet other equipment may be considered optional.

Barns/sheds

Goats demand a living arrangement that combines admission to a shed or barn and an area where they tin can get exterior in the sunshine. The shed expanse should have at least 15 square feet of space for each goat. The outside pen needs to be as large equally possible to permit the goats to exercise. The shed should exist well drained and should open to the east or south. Barn temperature is critical. Structures should be well ventilated so goats will remain absurd and continue to grow during the summertime months. However, when club goats are slick shorn for shows, barns should be altered during the wintertime to proceed goats as warm every bit possible. This can be done by closing the front with a tarp or plastic sheet and by using heat lamps. The analogy shows the recommended dimensions and layout for a goat feeding facility.

Fences

Contend height should exist at to the lowest degree 42 inches to keep goats from attempting to jump. Fences should exist predator proof. If using net wire fences, 12-inch mesh should be used rather than 6-inch mesh to proceed goats from hanging their heads in the wire. The most desirable pens are synthetic from galvanized livestock panels that are 5 feet tall with 4-inch squares.

Feeders

Cocky-feeders are often used in the feeding of goats. Self-feeders should exist blocked at least 6 inches off the ground. If goats are hand fed, use movable troughs that hang on the argue at the advisable summit. Troughs should exist hung at the same summit as the pinnacle of the shoulder of the caprine animal being fed. These movable troughs need to exist taken down and cleaned regularly. Likewise, hay and mineral feeders need to be raised off the ground. This volition assist reduce the spread of disease. Information technology also is important to make certain that goats are unable to stand in their feed troughs because they will urinate or defecate on the feed.

H2o containers

Fresh water is the most of import ingredient in feeding society goats. Water should exist checked daily. Water troughs should be small in size so they can exist drained and cleaned on a regular basis. Troughs should be located in the shade to proceed water cool. In the hot summer months, some goats tend to drink too much h2o and appear "full." H2o should never be totally removed from the caprine animal. However, rationing water prior to a show will help remove the abdomen from the caprine animal and improve its appearance in the evidence band. Recollect, do non dehydrate your goat. The proper corporeality of fluids is vital to the feel and condition of your goat.

Equipment

To properly feed and exhibit a guild goat, information technology is necessary to take the following additional equipment:

strong brush to make clean water troughs;
shovel to clean pens;
scales to weigh goats;
trimming table;
electric clippers with 20- and 23-tooth combs and cutters
small brute training clippers;
syringes and needles;
goat blankets and/or socks;
halters, collars and/or bear witness chains;
hoof trimmers;
drench gun;
small portable feed troughs;
soft castor for training;
h2o bucket.

You may want the post-obit optional equipment if y'all are exhibiting several goats at major shows:

testify box to hold equipment;
hot air blower or dryer;
portable livestock scales;
extension cords;
muzzles;
electric fans.

Selection

The choice of a goat for a project is one of the nigh important decisions y'all will make. The blazon of goat you select volition accept a major influence on the project's results. Call back that a winning caprine animal is a combination of good choice, good nutritional management, proper grooming and outstanding showmanship.

People differ in their ability to select animals. Some have a natural eye for selecting young animals of high caliber, while others never develop this ability. Do not hesitate to inquire for help from someone with these skills. It may be your county Extension agent, Future Farmers of America instructor, parent or some other leader in the canton. Besides, many breeders are willing to assist yous in your selection.

When selecting, y'all must know the animal's age. Remember that near shows require that goats have their milk teeth, therefore you need to know how sometime your goat is. It also is important to be aware of fat thickness. Young goats that are bloomy and fat always look good, while young, thin goats do not expect as nice. Larn to look past fat and recognize muscle so that you lot can pick a genetically superior caprine animal.

When purchasing a goat, it is important to know some information about the producer. Exercise non hesitate to ask questions about the goat'southward bloodline and age.

Consider the following when selecting a goat: structural definiteness, muscle, volume and capacity, style and balance, and growth potential.

Structural correctness

Structural definiteness refers to the skeletal system or os structure of an animal. A goat should hold its head erect and the neck should extend out of the top of the shoulders. A caprine animal should travel and stand up broad and direct on both forepart and rear legs, and the legs should be placed squarely nether the torso. A goat should have a stiff level elevation, and a long rump with a slight slope from hooks to pins. Your goat should be heavy boned and be stiff on its pasterns. Open up-shouldered, weak-topped, weak-pasterned, steep-rumped goats should be avoided.

Muscle

By and large, a goat that walks and stands wide is going to exist heavier muscled. The goat should have a deep, heavily muscled leg and rump. When viewed from behind, the widest function of the leg should be the stifle area. The goat should have a broad, thick dorsum and loin that is naturally firm and hard treatment. A skilful caprine animal should be broad through its chest floor, with assuming shoulders and a prominent forearm muscle. The chest and forearm are the best indicators of muscling in thin goats.

Volume and capacity

This refers to the relationship of body length to body depth and trunk width. Goats should exist long bodied, with acceptable depth and spring of rib. Avoid selecting goats that are short bodied, shallow bodied, narrow based and apartment ribbed.

Style and remainder

Fashion and balance refer to the way all body parts blend together, how the neck blends into the shoulder, the shoulder into the rib cage, the rib cage into the loin, the loin into the rump, and how "eye-highly-seasoned" a goat is.

When viewed from the side, a goat should take a shine shoulder, level top, trim heart and directly legs. A goat that is balanced, pretty and holds up its caput is the first one you discover when you walk in the pen.

Growth potential

The power of an animal to grow rapidly is very of import. Generally, a larger framed goat that shows a long head, neck, cannon bone and body, will abound faster, be larger and exist more competitive in the show band.

Nutrition

Contrary to popular conventionalities, in that location is no such affair as a "magic" ration that will brand your goat a champion. To implement a good feeding program, written report the goat and use all available data to make judgments on when feed changes should be made. Since well-nigh goats do non eolith external fat as chop-chop equally other species of livestock, a self-feeding program tin be effective. However, some goats will become also fat during the feeding menses and should be hand fed twice daily to control the corporeality of feed consumed.

All livestock crave five bones nutrients: water, protein, fats and carbohydrates (or energy), minerals and vitamins.

Water

Clean, fresh h2o is a daily necessity because h2o composes more than 70 percent of lean tissue and all body fluids must exist replenished regularly. Never deprive your goat of water because water regulates the amount of feed a caprine animal will eat. All the same, reduced water intake at certain periods during the program can reduce feed intake and reduce the size of the rumen for improved appearance.

Protein

The principal constituent of the creature body is protein. Dietary protein serves to maintain or replace protein in trunk tissues, provides for carriers of other nutrients and is a major component of diverse products such as meat, milk and cobweb. Protein requirements for goats vary according to their size, historic period and maturity. Young, fast-growing goats need higher poly peptide diets to allow them to grow and develop their muscle potential. Rations that contain 16 to 18 percent poly peptide are useful during many phases of the feeding programme. Remember that goats take a daily requirement for poly peptide. If more than poly peptide is fed than is required, the excess is used for energy. Using poly peptide as an free energy source is very expensive. When full feed intake is greatly reduced, poly peptide supplementation may be necessary in order to provide the adequate daily requirements for your goat.

Carbohydrates and fats

The most common limiting nutrients in goat rations are energy-producing carbohydrates and fats. Inadequate energy intake volition result in slow growth and weight loss. An acceptable supply of free energy is necessary for efficient nutrient utilization. Grains and protein supplements are high in free energy. Still, in goat rations, too much energy intake tin be simply every bit detrimental every bit non enough.

Minerals

The minerals of major concern in goat rations are salt (sodium and chlorine), calcium and phosphorus. Table salt can exist fed gratuitous-option. Nonetheless, many rations comprise 1/2 to 1 percentage common salt.

Calcium and phosphorus are necessary for proper growth and development, and should be fed at a ratio of two parts of calcium to one office phosphorus. Rations that contain loftier levels of phosphorus in relation to calcium may cause urinary calculi. The improver of ammonium chloride at the rate of ten to 15 pounds per ton of feed will help prevent urinary calculi. Roughages are mostly high in calcium and depression in phosphorus. Grains are mostly low in calcium and intermediate in phosphorus. Nearly poly peptide supplements are high in phosphorus and intermediate in calcium. A mineral supplement with a 25 to 30 percentage protein content can exist of benefit in a feeding program when used to superlative dress the ration. However, this will not work with a pelleted ration. Supplements must be used in the proper amounts because excesses will deplete the muscle mass of the caprine animal.

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential for proper body function and are required by goats in very small amounts. Only vitamin A is ever likely to be scarce. If goats are fed alfalfa hay or dehydrated alfalfa pellets in the ration, and then vitamin A deficiency should not be a trouble. Information technology is a practiced practice to occasionally inoculate goats with a B complex vitamin. This promotes their health and helps them eat well.

Health

The fundamental to a salubrious caprine animal is the development of a preventive health program. Near goats purchased for guild projects are on a health maintenance programme and have had a variety of vaccinations. However, as yous develop your preventive program, presume that the goat you lot have purchased has had no treatments. Vaccinations and treatments for certain common bug should exist included in your program.

Enterotoxemia

A major cause of expiry in club goats is enterotoxemia or overeating illness. Afflicted animals seldom exhibit symptoms and rapid death is commonly the result. This disease is caused by a clostridial organism normally present in the intestine of almost goats. Goats that have their feeding schedule abruptly changed or swallow large amounts of grain are subject area to enterotoxemia types C and D. Feeding changes can crusade the clostridial organism to grow speedily and produce a powerful toxin that causes death in a few hours. All gild goats should be vaccinated with a combination (types C and D) vaccine immediately after purchase. At least ane booster vaccination is recommended.

Internal parasites

Internal parasites are a continual problem. Newly purchased goats should be drenched immediately for internal parasites and a second drenching should follow about 3 weeks later on. Few drenches are canonical for treating goats for internal parasites. Your veterinarian volition have the best information on the most constructive drenches. Because internal parasites develop resistance to a drench over fourth dimension, it may be effective to rotate the utilize of products.

Urinary calculi

Urinary calculi is a metabolic illness of male goats characterized by the formation of calculi or stones in the urinary tract. The offset sign of calculi is a goat's inability to pass urine. The caprine animal will be restless, kicking at its belly, stretch and attempt to urinate.

The common cause of calculi formation in wether goats is feed rations with high phosphorus levels and an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus. Considering grains are high in phosphorus and low in calcium, high concentrate rations may crusade urinary calculi. A successful preventive is to provide a two:1 calcium:phosphorus ratio in the ration and by adding 10 to 15 pounds of ammonium chloride per ton of feed. Provide enough of make clean, fresh drinking water also.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis causes weight loss and continued inefficiency in goats. The disease is characterized by bloody diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and weakness. Sick goats should exist separated and given private handling as prescribed past a veterinarian. Nearly commercial bear witness caprine animal rations are medicated with a coccidiostat that should help control coccidiosis.

Soremouth

Soremouth is a contagious, viral illness that causes the formation of scabs on the lips and around the mouths of goats. This virus can affect humans, so be conscientious when treatment goats with soremouth. Iodine can be rubbed into lesions subsequently the scabs are removed and this volition help dry the area and reduce the infection. The Texas Agronomical Experiment Station manufactures an excellent soremouth vaccine. Every bit with all live-virus vaccines, use extreme caution when administering the product.

Ringworm

Ringworm has become a serious trouble in the lamb manufacture. Because most club goats are shown in the same barns and prove rings as lambs, it is likely that ringworm will go a problem in goats besides. Ringworm is contagious and tin can be transmitted from caprine animal to caprine animal, from caprine animal to man, or from infected equipment to goat. A good prevention programme is necessary. The following products have been used with varying results:

Fulvicin® – powder given as a bolus or used a elevation dress feed.
Novasan® – three ounces per gallon of h2o sprayed on goats, equipment and premises.
Bleach – ten per centum solution sprayed on goats, equipment and premises.

Pinkeye

This contagious illness is characterized by excessive watering of the eye and clouding over of the pupil. Goats are susceptible to pinkeye especially after they have been transported to a new location. Dry, dusty pens and constant exposure to sunlight can be contributing factors. There are several medications on the market for pinkeye. If yous exercise not notice comeback within a few days after treatment, contact your veterinary.

Illegal drugs

State and federal laws and regulations concerning the use of drugs for livestock and poultry are established to protect homo and beast health. These laws and regulations state that instructions and restrictions on product labels must be strictly followed. The labels state the species or class of livestock or poultry for which the drug is to be used, the recommended route of assistants, the canonical dosage rate and specific atmospheric condition to be treated. When administering drugs, always follow characterization instructions.

The apply of a drug in a manner other than stated on its label is regulated past the Food and Drug Administration and may be done only under the control of a licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian assumes the responsibility for making medical judgements and yous, the customer, agree to strictly follow the instructions.

Most Texas livestock shows accept strict policies against the illegal use of drugs and volition disqualify animals if such drugs have been used.

Hoof trimming

A caprine animal'southward hooves will grow long if they are not naturally worn downwards by traveling over rough terrain. Long hooves should be trimmed near every 6 weeks. Always trim hooves 1 to two weeks earlier a prove in case you accidentally cut into the quick and temporarily cripple the goat. This will permit the goat time to heal before the evidence. If pes rot develops, treat it past trimming the hoof closely and placing the foot in a zinc sulfate foot bath.

Dehorning or tipping

Some shows require that goats be dehorned. If you plan to dehorn, information technology is preferred to "disbud" goats at 14 to 28 days of age. The older the caprine animal is and the larger the horn, the more than stressful it volition exist on the goat. Other shows asking only that goat horns be tipped for prove. Tipping can be done easily without causing much stress to the goat. Horns should be tipped 4 to 6 weeks prior to the show to allow the horns to heal properly. Dehorning or tipping rules are made for the safety of the exhibitors.

Management and Feeding

You have a choice of feeding a commercially prepared ration, mixing your ain, or feeding a county ration that has been mixed and is sold by the local feed shop. There are many complete commercial rations bachelor. Goats are picky eaters, therefore, a pelleted ration is recommended over a textured or loose ration. Select a balanced ration, learn how to feed it and learn how your goat responds to it.

At the time of purchase, many young goats volition non know how to eat pelleted feed from a trough. These goats should be started on good, leafy alfalfa hay that is peak dressed with a preconditioning pellet. Subsequently 3 or 4 days, the selected ration may be introduced slowly. Hay can be fed during the first part of the feeding program, merely should be eliminated at the later stages to prevent goats from developing large stomachs.

Nigh goats tin exist cocky fed for the unabridged feeding menses. However, some goats will become fat and demand to be hand fed. Fat deposition must be monitored throughout the feeding program. The feeding schedule tin be adjusted to alter gain and body composition, just the goats must be continually monitored so changes can exist made. Rations non producing enough terminate tin be bolstered by the addition of a high energy feed, such every bit corn, during the late stages of the feeding program. Remember, never make abrupt changes in your feeding program. Make gradual changes so your goat will stay on feed and continue to develop.

The feeding program will dictate how your goat develops and matures. A good program cannot brand up for a lack of superior genetics, but it will allow your caprine animal to reach its genetic potential. Feeding is a daily responsibility and the program should be inverse as needed to maximize your results. To best monitor your results, counterbalance your caprine animal on a regular basis. Know whether your goat is gaining or losing weight and know how much weight. Exercise can exist very beneficial to your caprine animal and to your success in the show band. Goats are very active animals and, if given enough room, they will practise themselves. Take objects like large rocks or wooden spools in your pen for climbing and jumping. This volition provide your goat with an first-class opportunity to exercise itself. A caprine animal that exercises will handle harder and firmer, and volition give yous an advantage in the testify ring.

Fitting

Nearly of the major shows in Texas enforce the shearing rule for goats. Because some differences in hair length are allowed at the fourth dimension of testify, it is important to read the show rules prior to clipping your caprine animal for a item show.

Information technology is non ever necessary to wash your goat, but it can be beneficial. Use a mild soap sparingly, rinse the animate being thoroughly and dry out the caprine animal completely. So, brush your caprine animal with a potent brush on a regular basis. Brushing removes all of the dead hair and clay.

Shear your goat co-ordinate to show rules at least ii to seven days before the prove. This will allow clipper tracks to even out and the pink skin to go less apparent. A pair of electric clippers equipped with either a 20- or 23- tooth rummage should be used to ensure a smoother, more attractive goat. While shearing, the clippers should run parallel to the length of the body rather than vertically. Hair below the knees and hocks should not be shorn, and the hair on the stop of the tail should be bobbed. Modest animate being clippers may exist needed to clip closely around the optics, ears, pasterns or delicate areas on the caprine animal.

If shearing in cold atmospheric condition, comprehend your goat with a lamb sock and/or blanket immediately subsequently shearing. A clean, well-bedded pen should exist provided to go on the goat clean and dry.

Showing

Some people are natural showmen, simply all exhibitors can acquire techniques to improve their showmanship skills.

Preshow preparation

The amount of time required to railroad train a goat for show depends on the caprine animal, the physical size and feel of the exhibitor, and the intensity of training. Some goats are easy to gentle and train for show, while others goats are difficult and near incommunicable to train. Most goats can be trained if plenty time and effort are spent. Dissimilar lambs, goats are shown with a collar or chain.

Halter breaking is an fantabulous way to starting time the gentling procedure, especially if y'all accept several goats. Collars, chains or cheap rope halters tin be made or purchased from feed and livestock supply stores. Goats should be defenseless, haltered, chained or collared and tied to a debate. If using the collar or chain, snap them to the fence. Do not tie the goats where they tin can hurt themselves and do not leave tied goats unattended.

After your goat begins to gentle, you lot tin can start teaching it to lead. Apply the collar, concatenation or halter to keep the goat'southward caput up while you teach it to pb. Take someone assist y'all by pushing the goat from behind whenever it stops. Teach the goat to pb with its front shoulder even with your leg. The goat'due south head should be in forepart of your torso.

The next step in the training procedure is to lead the goat and properly set it upwards. Set the front and hind legs squarely under the body, keeping the torso and neck directly and the head in a high, proud position past using the concatenation or collar. Halters should never exist used in the testify ring; use but chains or collars. You should remain standing at all times. Do not squat or kneel.

After the training is complete, you lot may wish to practice showing. Ready up your caprine animal and bear witness it while someone else handles information technology. Yous must make sure the goat looks good at all times. If the goat responds properly, return it to the pen and practise not overwork it. Remember, in a major bear witness, you may accept simply v seconds to actually prove your goat. If the goat does not show properly when the judge handles it, you lot may get disregarded.

Show band

Your planning, selection, feeding, fitting, preparation and grooming take brought you lot and your goat this far — to the bear witness ring. Now, your skill in exhibiting your goat — showmanship — cannot be emphasized as well strongly! It is oftentimes the divergence between winning and losing.

You should be mentally and physically fix to enter the show ring for competition. By completing the preshow activities, you should have conviction that yous can practice an effective job showing your goat. You should be neat in appearance, but not overdressed. Do not article of clothing a chapeau or cap in the evidence ring.

Before the bear witness begins, become familiar with the prove ring. When the judging begins, spotter the judge if possible and run into how he works the goats. You will feel more comfortable and confident if you know what the gauge volition want y'all to do.

When the advisable class is called, take your caprine animal to the prove ring. If the ring stewards do not line up the goats, find a place where your caprine animal volition look its best. Avert corners of the ring and leave plenty of space between your goat and others. Set your caprine animal upward, making certain the legs are set up properly, and keep the body, neck and caput in a straight line with the goat'south head up and alert. Ever evidence with both easily. Do not put your free manus behind your back; use it to keep the goat's head and body direct.

A adept showman must exist alert and ever know where the judge is at all times. Recall to keep your eye on the judge! Remain at-home and concentrate on showing. Gear up your goat and be ready before the judge gets to yous. Be conscientious not to cover your caprine animal with your torso and block the judge'south view. E'er continue your goat betwixt you and the gauge. In large classes, it may take xx minutes before the judge handles your caprine animal. Exist patient and allow your goat relax.

Afterward handling your goat, the judge ordinarily will footstep dorsum and wait at it. Be sure to keep the goat's head up and torso, neck and head in a directly line. Keep 1 middle on the gauge and one middle on your goat. It is your responsibility to watch the guess and not miss a determination.

If your goat is not pulled the first time, continue trying. Keep to keep it set up, remain alarm and sentinel the approximate. If your goat is pulled, circle it out of the line and follow the directions of the ring steward while standing to keep an heart on the judge. Move your goat with style and at a steady, moderate pace.

Remember to continue showing at all times, because a class is not over until the ribbons are distributed. Be courteous to fellow exhibitors. A practiced showman volition emphasize potent points and minimize weak points of a goat. Remain continuing at all times and ever brandish a pleasant facial expression. Be a proficient sport, a graceful loser and a humble winner.

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Source: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/4-h-youth-development/4-h-meat-goat-guide/